Tiruvannamalai Maha Deepam

In Hinduism, there are 5 temples dedicated to Shiva, representing the 5 elements of nature, namely earth, water, fire, air and space. These temples, located in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, are known as pancha bhoota sthalam. The Sanskrit words "pancha bhoota" mean "five elements".

The Shiva temple representing fire is Arunachalesvara Temple in Tiruvannamalai. Also known as Annamalaiyar Temple, it is one of India's largest temples.

The best time to be in Tiruvannamalai is during Karthigai Deepam, a festival of lights celebrated by Tamil Hindus. The most important day during this festival is the day of Maha Deepam ("great lamp" in Sanskrit). At 6 PM on the day, a huge lamp is lit on the peak of Annamalai, a sacred hill in Tiruvannamalai. The entire hill is considered a lingam and the Maha Deepam is said to be visible from 9 km.

This blog contains 19 photos shot in Tiruvannamalai.

Location : Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

Photos shot in December 2019.

All photos © S Srikant.

Instagram : ssrikantphotographer.

The hill Annamalai in Tiruvannamalai is covered by cloud early in the morning, a day before Maha Deepam. Arunachalesvara Temple, with its main gopuram, is in the foreground.

Arunachalesvara Temple, one of India's largest temples, in the morning on the eve of Maha Deepam. Photo shot from the hill Annamalai in Tiruvannamalai.

A drawing of a sadhu (Hindu monk) by an artist in Annamalai in Tiruvannamalai, on the eve of Maha Deepam.

Devotees getting their heads shaved outside Arunachalesvara Temple in Tiruvannamalai.

The hands of a sadhu go up in prayer outside Arunachalesvara Temple in Tiruvannamalai.

Sadhus pray to Shiva, in front of the main entrance of Arunachalesvara Temple in Tiruvannamalai.

Devotees light lamps in Arunachalesvara Temple in Tiruvannamalai, on the eve of Maha Deepam.

A child is placed in a cradle made of sugarcane and saree, to be taken on circumambulation of Arunachalesvara Temple, in Tiruvannamalai. This ritual is a way of thanking Shiva.

Cradles of sugarcane and sarees containing children, on the eve of Maha Deepam, in Tiruvannamalai.

A priest arranges flowers on an idol of Shiva, before the start of a procession, in Tiruvannamalai. Arunachalesvara Temple's main gopuram is in the background.

A woman prays to a vessel containing fire (agni), on the eve of Maha Deepam, in Tiruvannamalai.

Devotees walking in a road in Tiruvannamalai, as part of circumambulation of Arunachalesvara Temple and the hill Annamalai (background), on the morning of Maha Deepam. This ritual is known as giri valam (circumambulation of hill) and the path taken by devotees to complete 1 round is 14 km long.

Tins containing ghee meant for Maha Deepam, on the top of Annamalai hill in Tiruvannamalai, on the day of Maha Deepam.

The wick for Maha Deepam gets prepared by soaking cloths in ghee, in Annamalai in Tiruvannamalai.

The container in which Maha Deepam would be lit, being readied on the day of Maha Deepam in Annamalai hill, Tiruvannamalai.

Maha Deepam on the top of Annamalai, few minutes after it was lit at 6 PM. The entire hill of Annamalai is considered a lingam.

Arunachalesvara Temple, decorated with lights on the occasion of Karthigai Deepam, as seen from Annamalai, Tiruvannamalai.

People lighting lamps on the occasion of Maha Deepam in a temple in Tiruvannamalai.

The main gopuram of Arunachalesvara Temple, decorated with lights, and Maha Deepam on Annamalai in the background, in Tiruvannamalai.